Let's hope they get a decent audience and try and help spread the word to family and friends who may not have a clue what is now on free.

Serie A is boring to watch

It is. Eleven have held on to La Liga (for now) which is the most exciting of the two. I think I've watched only 2 or 3 Serie A games all season. I am however glad to see the Eredivisie getting an airing on Freesports

If the likes of keep it country and talking pictures can afford it offering something different being small company I’m pretty sure a sports channel could now it’s got more football and rugby building up good mix sports would do very well be popular.

Yep SD on national Freeview would do way more - just is it affordable?

Completely agree. It seems that Freesports are not willing to spend the money, rather than it being completely unaffordable. There have been slots available with all the reshuffles on Freeview during January, but Freesports did not take advantage.

One option they could do is to move from the temporary HD multiplex they are on which has limited coverage to the BBC HD multiplex as that has nationwide coverage. This is what More4 + 1 have done and they broadcast in SD as well.

Okay you still need an HD tuner to decode the picture whether in your TV or in your set top box, but they would now have nationwide coverage, so a much bigger potential audience.

This is a half way house cost wise as more than they pay today as more coverage but less than buying an SD slot on one of the nationwide multiplexes.

If the likes of keep it country and talking pictures can afford it offering something different being small company I’m pretty sure a sports channel could now it’s got more football and rugby building up good mix sports would do very well be popular.

Yep SD on national Freeview would do way more - just is it affordable?

Completely agree. It seems that Freesports are not willing to spend the money, rather than it being completely unaffordable. There have been slots available with all the reshuffles on Freeview during January, but Freesports did not take advantage.

One option they could do is to move from the temporary HD multiplex they are on which has limited coverage to the BBC HD multiplex as that has nationwide coverage. This is what More4 + 1 have done and they broadcast in SD as well.

Okay you still need an HD tuner to decode the picture whether in your TV or in your set top box, but they would now have nationwide coverage, so a much bigger potential audience.

This is a half way house cost wise as more than they pay today as more coverage but less than buying an SD slot on one of the nationwide multiplexes.

Is it cheaper than an SD slot? I would have thought that BBC coverage would be more expensive as it does go all over the UK via more sites.

If the likes of keep it country and talking pictures can afford it offering something different being small company I’m pretty sure a sports channel could now it’s got more football and rugby building up good mix sports would do very well be popular.

Yep SD on national Freeview would do way more - just is it affordable?

Completely agree. It seems that Freesports are not willing to spend the money, rather than it being completely unaffordable. There have been slots available with all the reshuffles on Freeview during January, but Freesports did not take advantage.

One option they could do is to move from the temporary HD multiplex they are on which has limited coverage to the BBC HD multiplex as that has nationwide coverage. This is what More4 + 1 have done and they broadcast in SD as well.

Okay you still need an HD tuner to decode the picture whether in your TV or in your set top box, but they would now have nationwide coverage, so a much bigger potential audience.

This is a half way house cost wise as more than they pay today as more coverage but less than buying an SD slot on one of the nationwide multiplexes.

Is it cheaper than an SD slot? I would have thought that BBC coverage would be more expensive as it does go all over the UK via more sites.

Yes it is as you need an HD decoder to view.

This is the spare capacity on the BBC HD multiplex which none of the BBC or the other public sector broadcaster wanted to use for an HD channel.
Hence why More4 + 1 is using some of this capacity, and others could as well. You can get multiple SD channels in the bandwidth one HD channel would use.

Obviously it's not clear if the space would still be available post the loss of the temporary HD multiplexes (as used by Freesports today) when those are handed over to the mobile phone companies for 5G data around 2022. However one option then is to move all remaining Freeview multiplexes over to HD encoding so you can squash in many more SD channels into the same capacity.

Anyway as noted Premier Sports seem happy with Freesports being run on the cheap and not looking to increase its potential audience reach.

I suppose the best news out of eleven dropping rights is the fact they will be some regular FTA Serie A Football for the first time since 2007/08 on FreeSports in exactly the same quality as the Football Italia days ;-)

Anyway as noted Premier Sports seem happy with Freesports being run on the cheap and not looking to increase its potential audience reach.

But given they are on a temporary multiplex don't they need to do something soon otherwise they'll have zero reach, on Freeview at least.
When is their multiplex due to shut down?

Some transmitters lose their temporary HD multiplexes in the next few months. However most survive to 2021 and a few could continue on until 2022, assuming the phone companies keep to plans with the roll out and launch of 5G which will use the same frequencies.

Anyway as noted Premier Sports seem happy with Freesports being run on the cheap and not looking to increase its potential audience reach.

But given they are on a temporary multiplex don't they need to do something soon otherwise they'll have zero reach, on Freeview at least.
When is their multiplex due to shut down?

Some transmitters lose their temporary HD multiplexes in the next few months. However most survive to 2021 and a few could continue on until 2022, assuming the phone companies keep to plans with the roll out and launch of 5G which will use the same frequencies.

Thanks. So whilst I’d say I can sort of understand FreeSports reluctance to move to a HD spot on Freeview in an effort to keep running costs low, I can’t understand their reluctance to move to another multiplex to secure their space on the platform. They’re already on a multiplex with poor coverage (I live just outside London and can’t receive it) and now their risking losing even that.

If the likes of keep it country and talking pictures can afford it offering something different being small company I’m pretty sure a sports channel could now it’s got more football and rugby building up good mix sports would do very well be popular.

Yep SD on national Freeview would do way more - just is it affordable?

Completely agree. It seems that Freesports are not willing to spend the money, rather than it being completely unaffordable. There have been slots available with all the reshuffles on Freeview during January, but Freesports did not take advantage.

One option they could do is to move from the temporary HD multiplex they are on which has limited coverage to the BBC HD multiplex as that has nationwide coverage. This is what More4 + 1 have done and they broadcast in SD as well.

Okay you still need an HD tuner to decode the picture whether in your TV or in your set top box, but they would now have nationwide coverage, so a much bigger potential audience.

This is a half way house cost wise as more than they pay today as more coverage but less than buying an SD slot on one of the nationwide multiplexes.

Is it cheaper than an SD slot? I would have thought that BBC coverage would be more expensive as it does go all over the UK via more sites.

Yes it is as you need an HD decoder to view.

This is the spare capacity on the BBC HD multiplex which none of the BBC or the other public sector broadcaster wanted to use for an HD channel.
Hence why More4 + 1 is using some of this capacity, and others could as well. You can get multiple SD channels in the bandwidth one HD channel would use.

Obviously it's not clear if the space would still be available post the loss of the temporary HD multiplexes (as used by Freesports today) when those are handed over to the mobile phone companies for 5G data around 2022. However one option then is to move all remaining Freeview multiplexes over to HD encoding so you can squash in many more SD channels into the same capacity.

Anyway as noted Premier Sports seem happy with Freesports being run on the cheap and not looking to increase its potential audience reach.

How does anyone know this is a cheaper slot? As the BBC has more sites that it broadcasts from so the cost could be considerable! Yes I know it is less data being used than standard SD - but bet its not 1/4 of the broadcast costs.

Anyway as noted Premier Sports seem happy with Freesports being run on the cheap and not looking to increase its potential audience reach.

But given they are on a temporary multiplex don't they need to do something soon otherwise they'll have zero reach, on Freeview at least.
When is their multiplex due to shut down?

Some transmitters lose their temporary HD multiplexes in the next few months. However most survive to 2021 and a few could continue on until 2022, assuming the phone companies keep to plans with the roll out and launch of 5G which will use the same frequencies.

Thanks. So whilst I’d say I can sort of understand FreeSports reluctance to move to a HD spot on Freeview in an effort to keep running costs low, I can’t understand their reluctance to move to another multiplex to secure their space on the platform. They’re already on a multiplex with poor coverage (I live just outside London and can’t receive it) and now their risking losing even that.

It will all come down to cost. They will be on a fairly cheap (for freeview) multiplex (one that annoyingly I can't get now since the frequency change) however to make the next move to an SD multiplex or even a BBC HD one in SD will be considerably more money. I guess then it comes down to if the cost will equal more viewers and higher still advertising rates.

Maybe someone should contact them on social media and ask about the BBC HD space as they do seem to respond to comments.

If the likes of keep it country and talking pictures can afford it offering something different being small company I’m pretty sure a sports channel could now it’s got more football and rugby building up good mix sports would do very well be popular.

Yep SD on national Freeview would do way more - just is it affordable?

Completely agree. It seems that Freesports are not willing to spend the money, rather than it being completely unaffordable. There have been slots available with all the reshuffles on Freeview during January, but Freesports did not take advantage.

One option they could do is to move from the temporary HD multiplex they are on which has limited coverage to the BBC HD multiplex as that has nationwide coverage. This is what More4 + 1 have done and they broadcast in SD as well.

Okay you still need an HD tuner to decode the picture whether in your TV or in your set top box, but they would now have nationwide coverage, so a much bigger potential audience.

This is a half way house cost wise as more than they pay today as more coverage but less than buying an SD slot on one of the nationwide multiplexes.

Is it cheaper than an SD slot? I would have thought that BBC coverage would be more expensive as it does go all over the UK via more sites.

Yes it is as you need an HD decoder to view.

This is the spare capacity on the BBC HD multiplex which none of the BBC or the other public sector broadcaster wanted to use for an HD channel.
Hence why More4 + 1 is using some of this capacity, and others could as well. You can get multiple SD channels in the bandwidth one HD channel would use.

Obviously it's not clear if the space would still be available post the loss of the temporary HD multiplexes (as used by Freesports today) when those are handed over to the mobile phone companies for 5G data around 2022. However one option then is to move all remaining Freeview multiplexes over to HD encoding so you can squash in many more SD channels into the same capacity.

Anyway as noted Premier Sports seem happy with Freesports being run on the cheap and not looking to increase its potential audience reach.

How does anyone know this is a cheaper slot? As the BBC has more sites that it broadcasts from so the cost could be considerable! Yes I know it is less data being used than standard SD - but bet its not 1/4 of the broadcast costs.

Read some of the other TV news sites about More4 + 1 's move to that multiplex.

If the likes of keep it country and talking pictures can afford it offering something different being small company I’m pretty sure a sports channel could now it’s got more football and rugby building up good mix sports would do very well be popular.

Yep SD on national Freeview would do way more - just is it affordable?

Completely agree. It seems that Freesports are not willing to spend the money, rather than it being completely unaffordable. There have been slots available with all the reshuffles on Freeview during January, but Freesports did not take advantage.

One option they could do is to move from the temporary HD multiplex they are on which has limited coverage to the BBC HD multiplex as that has nationwide coverage. This is what More4 + 1 have done and they broadcast in SD as well.

Okay you still need an HD tuner to decode the picture whether in your TV or in your set top box, but they would now have nationwide coverage, so a much bigger potential audience.

This is a half way house cost wise as more than they pay today as more coverage but less than buying an SD slot on one of the nationwide multiplexes.

Is it cheaper than an SD slot? I would have thought that BBC coverage would be more expensive as it does go all over the UK via more sites.

Yes it is as you need an HD decoder to view.

This is the spare capacity on the BBC HD multiplex which none of the BBC or the other public sector broadcaster wanted to use for an HD channel.
Hence why More4 + 1 is using some of this capacity, and others could as well. You can get multiple SD channels in the bandwidth one HD channel would use.

Obviously it's not clear if the space would still be available post the loss of the temporary HD multiplexes (as used by Freesports today) when those are handed over to the mobile phone companies for 5G data around 2022. However one option then is to move all remaining Freeview multiplexes over to HD encoding so you can squash in many more SD channels into the same capacity.

Anyway as noted Premier Sports seem happy with Freesports being run on the cheap and not looking to increase its potential audience reach.

How does anyone know this is a cheaper slot? As the BBC has more sites that it broadcasts from so the cost could be considerable! Yes I know it is less data being used than standard SD - but bet its not 1/4 of the broadcast costs.

Read some of the other TV news sites about More4 + 1 's move to that multiplex.

Have you got some links or as you are more in the know maybe you can post the rumored costs?

So only one Serie A game per week on Freesports from next weekend (official reply on the linked Twitter page). Next week it's Atalanta v SPAL, the following week it'll be Genoa v Lazio. Hardly going to set the world alight now is it?
The next free Eredivisie match not until The 17th, Ajax v Breda.
Looks like they're starting with a glut of SerieA/Eredivisie only to then relegate those leagues to be a schedule filler.
They also confirm no plans for Freesports in HD outside of what's already available.

So only one Serie A game per week on Freesports from next weekend (official reply on the linked Twitter page). Next week it's Atalanta v SPAL, the following week it'll be Genoa v Lazio. Hardly going to set the world alight now is it?
The next free Eredivisie match not until The 17th, Ajax v Breda.
Looks like they're starting with a glut of SerieA/Eredivisie only to then relegate those leagues to be a schedule filler.They also confirm no plans for Freesports in HD outside of what's already available.

I wasn't expecting big games from Serie A each week they obviously hope people will still subscribe to Premier Sports. Someone on that Twitter thread asked a good question that hasn't been answered yet... Why can't they just let us watch the Freesports HD stream on the Premier Sports online player that would be far better than the TV Player app.

So only one Serie A game per week on Freesports from next weekend (official reply on the linked Twitter page). Next week it's Atalanta v SPAL, the following week it'll be Genoa v Lazio. Hardly going to set the world alight now is it?
The next free Eredivisie match not until The 17th, Ajax v Breda.
Looks like they're starting with a glut of SerieA/Eredivisie only to then relegate those leagues to be a schedule filler.They also confirm no plans for Freesports in HD outside of what's already available.

I wasn't expecting big games from Serie A each week they obviously hope people will still subscribe to Premier Sports. Someone on that Twitter thread asked a good question that hasn't been answered yet... Why can't they just let us watch the Freesports HD stream on the Premier Sports online player that would be far better than the TV Player app.

I think that is a good point and one that they should look at. Suspect it will have something to do with the TV player deal they have as im sure someone on here suggested that TV player will pay to have access to the channel.

Remember they have Live Pool on we weekend after that they will have to show so that could be why the football is cut back a bit. I think this weekend is looking like a cracking offering though from them.

If the likes of keep it country and talking pictures can afford it offering something different being small company I’m pretty sure a sports channel could now it’s got more football and rugby building up good mix sports would do very well be popular.

Keep It Country and Talking Pictures are offering something different that there is a demand for. FreeSports most popular programming is EIHL and Rugby AM - 2 sports with limited FTA coverage. And FreeSports have half the weekly viewers that Talking Pictures had when also on Freeview COM Mux; meaning lower income with the higher live sports costs.

Looking at the live football on FreeSports rounded to nearest thousand...

England v Scotland was the largest football audience; EIHL (peaking with 82,000) and Rugby AM (peaking with 61,000) the most popular FreeSports programming. I consider Benfica v Porto as 1 of the biggest matches of the Primeira season, yet only 15,000 of FreeSports 18 million homes chose to watch it. This highlights that we prefer to watch local sports teams and expect similar low numbers for Serie A and Eredivisie. Football is at saturation point with BBC and subscription offerings, and if FreeSports is seeking viewers should concentrate on other UK-based sports.

If the likes of keep it country and talking pictures can afford it offering something different being small company I’m pretty sure a sports channel could now it’s got more football and rugby building up good mix sports would do very well be popular.

Keep It Country and Talking Pictures are offering something different that there is a demand for. FreeSports most popular programming is EIHL and Rugby AM - 2 sports with limited FTA coverage. And FreeSports have half the weekly viewers that Talking Pictures had when also on Freeview COM Mux; meaning lower income with the higher live sports costs.

Looking at the live football on FreeSports rounded to nearest thousand...

England v Scotland was the largest football audience; EIHL (peaking with 82,000) and Rugby AM (peaking with 61,000) the most popular FreeSports programming. I consider Benfica v Porto as 1 of the biggest matches of the Primeira season, yet only 15,000 of FreeSports 18 million homes chose to watch it. This highlights that we prefer to watch local sports teams and expect similar low numbers for Serie A and Eredivisie. Football is at saturation point with BBC and subscription offerings, and if FreeSports is seeking viewers should concentrate on other UK-based sports.

I totally agree that this football will rate well for them. Football is always in the top 10 when it's on so it's a constant and clearly they have carved out a niche.

They will attract advertisers that want to reach males so I bet the rates are quite decent for them. The biggest risk to them is someone else trying to copy their model as the market probably can only sustain one decent offering.

Out of interest is their a 24 hour national Freeview slot available? I guess they could even take something that does 7am - 11pm and then have the overnight via an IP stream - as clearly cost is going to be a limiting factor for them.